Angelo Mathews

Monday, April 09, 2012

Lahiru Thirimanne - 2: Fell twice to Anderson with the new ball to total just 28 runs for the series, and with a Test match average currently under 20 has plenty of work to do to establish himself at this level.

Tillakaratne Dilshan - 5: Contentious second innings dismissal showed up limitations of DRS and meant his wait for a Test hundred extends to 21 innings. Won't be signing up for KP's Switch Hit fan club. Bowled well enough to suggest a bid for all-rounder status would not be unwarranted.

Kumar Sangakkara - 2: Fell to his second successive 1st innings golden duck and is in danger of becoming Anderson's bunny. Undone by a beauty by Swann second time around to complete a dismal series for the man that began it is the world's top ranked batsman.

Mahela Jayawardene - 9: Produced another masterpiece to follow up his big hundred in Galle and then resisted again in the 2nd innings before even he was unable to escape a ripper from Swann.

Thilan Samaraweera - 7: As in Galle, got going in both innings before losing his wicket when a big hundred looked to be in the offing.

Angelo Mathews - 7: Came in after injury prevented his participation in Galle and proved that he can adapt his style to the long-form of the game with a patient fifty in the 1st innings and a similarly sedate 46 second time around.

Prasanna Jayawardene - 5: Solid again with the gloves but no heroics this time with the bat as he fell for single figure scores in both visits to the crease.

Suraj Randiv - 4: Dealt with contemptuously by Pietersen and was unable to reprise his impressive performance at Galle as England's batsmen played him much more confidently this time.

Dhammika Prasad - 4: Performed admirably as a nightwatchman opener in the 2nd innings but whilst tidy proved mostly unthreatening with the ball.

Rangana Herath - 8: Bagged his third six wicket haul in a row but lacked the support at the other end he had received in Galle.

Suranga Lakmal - 2: Disappointing with the ball - lacked threat, didn't take a wicket and went at nearly four runs per over.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Imagine an inebriated Jesse Ryder at the top of a steep hill. Now factor in that the hill is actually a mountain covered in treacherous icy snow and Ryder has somehow managed to strap himself onto a snowboard covered in grease.

The result would be both messy and inevitable as an out of control Ryder came hurtling down the hill faster than Chris Gayle jumping aboard the latest T20 gravy train.

Irrespective of whether they win the deciding final in Adelaide on Thursday, Sri Lanka have looked the best side in the CB Series. Sure they started slowly, and yes they allowed an adrenalin charged Virat Kohli to lead India to a target of 320 in less than 36 overs, but they still look a better all round one day side than number one ranked Australia and World Cup holders India.

The top four have all scored runs. Tillakaratne Dilshan unencumbered by the captaincy looks like the man who has averaged around 46 since moving up to open in 2009. Kumar Sangakkara is as serene as ever and Mahela Jayawardene has been clearly energised by his restoration as captain. Finally, Dinesh Chandimal looks a batsman that Sri Lanka can build a new generation on.

Add in the brilliance of the now injured Angelo Mathews and a deceptively varied bowling attack led by Lasith Malinga who has been sublime one day and ridiculous the next in this series and Sri Lanka look a damn fine one day side.

Memories of a disappointing tour of England last summer, which formed a prelude to a chastening home defeat by Australia and finishing second best to Pakistan in all formats in the UAE have dissipated slightly.

They may have only won one Test since the retirement of Murali, but it seems that they are gathering momentum at just the right time before England visit Sri Lankan shores in the coming weeks. They also look a decent bet to win the Asia Cup.

All in all and unlike Ryder, Sri Lanka no longer look like they are going to end up in a disorientated heap at the bottom of the hill in the near future.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

When reading some of the build-up to the Test series in the media, anyone would think that England are facing Bangladesh or Zimbabwe instead of what we at The Reverse Sweep believe is a very good Sri Lankan side.

Here are seven reasons why we believe it is dangerous to underestimate Tillakaratne Dilshan’s team:

King Kumar isn’t wearing the gloves

Kumar Sangakkara has a claim to being one of the most underrated batsmen in world cricket despite a Test average of over 57. An already excellent record becomes positively Bradmanesque when he isn’t keeping wicket. In 46 Tests without the gloves, King Kumar averages 76.52. Be afraid England, be very afraid.

Dilshan seems to have taken to the captaincy

Responsibility can inspire some whilst breaking others. The early signs are that Dilshan is more likely to be inspired than broken. Two warm-ups and two centuries: 123 off 134 balls before retiring against Middlesex and 117 off 110 following-on against a strong Lions bowling line-up of Finn, Dernbach, Onions and Shahzad.

Batting Princes

Sangakkara and Dilshan are but two of a very strong batting line-up. Mahela Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera all have Test averages of 54 or over. Dilshan has been a revelation since moving up to open, and Dinesh Chandimal and Tharanga Paranavitana are also decent cricketers. If England’s much vaunted bowling attack shows any signs of rustiness then expect batsmen of this calibre to tuck in.

They’ve got the winning habit

Despite starting badly in both warm-up matches, Sri Lanka showed great tenacity and togetherness to fight back to beat both Middlesex and then the Lions. They followed on 227 runs behind the Lions only to score 448 in their 2nd innings and then dismiss a strong batting line-up for 183 to win by 38 runs. All this suggests that Sri Lanka are no pushovers and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if they were to win at least one of the three Tests.

Sri Lanka like playing in England in May

Contrary to the impression given by many in the media, Sri Lanka are unlikely to flounder on early-season English wickets. For a start the weather has been unseasonably warm and sunny this year, and in any case on their last trip to these shores in 2006 when the series also started in May, Sri Lanka fought like tigers to draw at Lord’s before winning at Trent Bridge to square the series.

They won’t miss Malinga that much

Whilst Sri Lanka will undoubtedly miss Murali and the balance provided by Angelo Mathews, we’re not so sure that Malinga’s absence will be much of a handicap. Malinga has only played two Tests since 2007 and Sri Lanka has managed very nicely thank you. The likes of Dilhara Fernando, Thisara Perera and Nuwan Pradeep (if fit) are much better than the billing afforded them by many in the English media. Just ask the Lions batsmen.

There’s always Chaminda

If their seamers do struggle or fall victim to injury, then Sri Lanka have an emergency measure close by in Chaminda Vaas. The great left-arm quick is having a pretty good season with 19 wickets to help Northamptonshire top Division 2. He may have retired from international cricket, but no doubt he could be persuaded to make one final encore.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Back before the World Cup started, which seems like 1995, The Reverse Sweep predicted that India and Sri Lanka would meet in the final - see the links at the bottom of this post if you don't believe us!

It’s not often we get things right here at The Reverse Sweep, so the fact that we did on this occasion leaves us feeling slightly too smug and self-satisfied.

Even Bollywood couldn’t have scripted it any better: Sachin Tendulkar will go for his 100th international hundred in the World Cup final in his home city of Mumbai whilst Muttiah Muralitharan plays his final international match.

So who will be smiling come Saturday evening? Sachin or Murali?

We tipped Sri Lanka to win the trophy beforehand and the form of their top four means we could end up being right. Dilshan is the leading run scorer in the tournament and Sangakkara and Tharanga are fourth and fifth respectively. If the top four don't fire though, there isn't much to follow.

Sangakkara also has the most balanced attack in the competition available with Malinga’s pace and yorkers dovetailing with the wily spin of Murali, Mendis and co.

However, Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the final – and even though cricketwithballs will doubtless claim that because he doesn’t exist, it won’t matter; Mathews is actually a key member of the side.

Although India have an injury concern with Nehra, they look in good shape coming into the final. But can they cope with the added pressure of winning on home soil – something no other host in World Cup history has achieved?

Sachin and Sehwag are crucial for them. If Sachin does register his 100th hundred the other players will visibly relax, and if Sehwag gets going then Sri Lanka will be in real trouble especially with the likes of an in-form Yuvraj to follow.

India’s bowling has been a bit hit and miss, but was much improved in the semi-final and Zaheer Khan is an inspirational leader of the attack.

It will probably come down to the fine margins and the toss could prove crucial – without stating the bleeding obvious, chasing under lights to win a World Cup would be a tall order for either side if the other has put decent runs on the board.

But we’ll stick with our original prediction and tip Murali to win the day over Sachin – whatever happens, let’s hope it’s a classic.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Most people have India down as favourites to win the World Cup, but it was Sri Lanka who lifted the trophy the last time the competition was held on the sub-continent. If King Kumar’s team win Group A then they could play all their matches at home right up until the final in Mumbai. So, can lightning strike twice? And will it be Murali rather than Tendulkar who is the all-time great that bows out of ODI cricket with a World Cup winners medal?

Strengths

It’s a long list, but here goes. Firstly, they will play most of their matches at home where they have a formidable record. Then there is the explosive batting of Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene, the balance provided by Mathews and a strong and varied bowling attack led by Malinga and Murali.

Weaknesses

Expectation is much higher than in 1996, so none of the other teams will underestimate Sri Lanka this time. Malinga’s injury record isn’t great and with Vaas gone, who will lead the attack if the man with the unplayable yorker is missing?

Main man

In 1996 it was Sanath Jayasuriya who lit the tournament up with this electric batting, so we’ll go for his successor Tillakaratne Dilshan. With him providing quick runs at the top of the order, the powerful middle order can fill their boots afterwards.

Look out for…

Some big hitting from Angelo Mathews – his name may be more suited to Aussie soap Home & Away, but expect to see him adding plenty of quickfire runs in the latter overs.

Prediction

Winners – Indian hearts were broken by Sri Lanka in the semi-final in 1996, and The Reverse Sweep predicts the same thing will happen - only this time in the final.

Thursday, November 04, 2010

These are dark days for the Australian cricket team. Since comprehensively beating Pakistan at Lord’s in July, Australia have lost their last six international matches – the Headingley test to Pakistan, two tests and one ODI in India and now a Twenty 20 and ODI to Sri Lanka on home turf.

If the amazing turnaround at Melbourne yesterday is anything to go by, the malaise is in danger of becoming a cancer. Australia has lost its ruthless streak. That can be the only conclusion following the record ninth wicket partnership of 132 in 18 overs between Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, which saw Sri Lanka recover from 107 for eight to win.

Coming so soon after a similarly spectacular ninth wicket partnership between VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma enabled India to beat Australia in the Mohali test, it is clear that Australia has lost the art of winning. Michael Clarke, whose captaincy yesterday did not auger well for when he finally takes over from Ricky Ponting as the official captain, summed it up perfectly when he reflected “I don’t know how we lost that game. We can’t seem to turn the corner at the moment."

Australia now only have two further ODIs with a buoyant Sri Lanka to come before the Ashes starts on 25th November. Even when you take into account all the things in Australia’s favour – home pitches, home crowds, the kookaburra and the inexperience of England’s bowlers of Australian conditions – England are starting to look like strong favourites.

Andrew Strauss’ men kick off their tour in earnest with a three day game against Western Australia, which starts on Saturday. Strauss and coach Andy Flower will know that an impressive performance will give them vital early momentum and further undermine the fragile confidence of the Australians. Whilst England are settled, confident and resilient, Australia have a batting line-up out of form and prone to collapse, have no spinner to speak of – despite Xavier Doherty’s impressive debut at Melbourne he has a first-class bowling average of 50 - and question marks over the fitness of a number of its seamers.

So, whisper it quietly, but this is England’s best opportunity of winning an Ashes series down under for an eon. Indeed, one probably has to go back to 1978/79 when England were such hot favourites - and that eventual 5-1 win was secured against an Australian side heavily weakened by the defection of its best players to World Series Cricket.

However, before we all get carried away - like Michael Vaughan who this week hilariously described the Ashes as a warm up before England host India next summer - a word of caution is necessary. In 1958-59, Peter May’s England side were also heavily backed to beat an Australian side that they had beaten in the three previous series stretching back to 1953. But, amidst claims of throwing against some of the home bowlers, Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson came of age and England were outplayed and routed 4-0.

As Kevin Pietersen ineloquently put it earlier this week “They (Australia) are a wounded animal at the moment and, when animals are wounded, they can turn into fearsome predators.”

True. Australia won’t go down without a fight, but England have their best opportunity for a generation. Roll on November 25th.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Now that the dust has begun to settle following England's triumph, it seems an apt time to select our best XI of the World T20. Most of the picks are fairly obvious, but there are a few close calls and a fairly contentious selection for the all-rounder spot at number seven. We'd like to see this side take on the Worst XI of the tournament that we named yesterday. On current form, the result would be a formality, but you could certainly imagine Michael Clarke's dunces giving the Best XI a pretty close match if form and confidence could be rediscovered.

Anyway, without further ado, here is our side:

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): 302 runs, average 60.40, strike rate 159.78, 11 sixes - Started the competition like a train with scores of 81, 100 and 98 not out, but was derailed by the pace of Australia and know-how of England. Despite this the leading scorer in the tournament has more than earned his place in the side.

Craig Kieswetter (England): 222 runs, average 31.71, strike rate 116.84, 11 sixes - You wouldn't have known that this was Kieswetter's first international tournament. Fearless at the top of the order and along with Lumb, crucial in laying the foundations for England's batting. Is not yet the finished article especially with the gloves. Just pips Kamran Akmal thanks to his fifty in the final.

Kevin Pietersen (England): 248 runs, average 62.00, strike rate 137.77, 7 sixes - The Man of the Tournament was reborn and revitalised and had a domineering presence at the crease not seen since Viv Richards' halcyon days. The manner in which he smashed Shaun Tait for six in the final was as breathtaking as it was nonchalant. It all bodes very well for the Ashes.

Cameron White (Australia, Captain): 180 runs, average 45.00, strike rate 146.34, 12 sixes - The man who should be Australia's Twenty 20 captain was the leading six-hitter in the competition. Played a familiar role in resurrecting the Australian innings together with the Hussey brothers after the top order had failed. His innings against Pakistan in the semi-final was nearly as vital as Michael Hussey's.

Eoin Morgan (England): 183 runs, average 36.60, strike rate 128.87, 5 sixes - The excellence of England's top order meant that we didn't see much of Morgan's unorthodox hitting in the latter part of the tournament. But his contrasting knocks in the first two matches against West Indies and Ireland were spectacular and enough to get him in ahead of David Hussey. It looks like the 23 year old Irishman is going to be some player.

Michael Hussey (Australia): 188 runs, average 94.00, strike rate 175.70, 9 sixes - A finisher? Someone to resurrect an innings or put the gloss on an already good score? A big hitter? Take your pick because Hussey can play all these roles with aplomb. His 60 not out off only 24 balls was the innings of the tournament and his strike rate was the best of those that had more than two innings. What a luxury to have Hussey walking to the crease at six or seven.

Graeme Swann (England): 10 wickets, average 14.40, economy rate 6.54 - The rise and rise of Swann continued. Not only takes regular wickets with his attacking bowling but does so at a miserly economy rate. His spell in the final put another nail in the Australian coffin. The best spinner in the tournament even if Steve Smith too one more wicket.

Stuart Broad (England): 8 wickets, average 17.50, economy rate 6.72 - Mitchell Johnson may have just had better figures, but Broad didn't suffer the aberration that was Umar Akmal's assault on the Australian bowler in the semi-final. In any case, Broad's mostly short of a length bowling was highly effective in the middle and the end of the twenty overs. Mohammad Aamer and Ryan Sidebottom also came close to selection here.

Dirk Nannes (Australia): 14 wickets, average 13.07, economy rate 7.03 - The leading wicket-taker in the competition only made his first-class debut at the age of 29. His bursts with the new ball along with partner-in-crime Tait, blew away most teams except Pakistan in the semi-final and England. On this form, should be in the Aussie one day side too.

Shaun Tait (Australia): 9 wickets, average 14.55, economy rate 5.53 - Despite the ease with which Pietersen played him in the final, Tait was magnificent throughout the competition. His economy rate was one of the best and the Indian top order are still probably having nightmares about facing him on the Bridgetown wicket.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

It was a wonderful sight yesterday watching the joyful Sri Lankan side celebrating their brilliant come-from-behind victory over India, which pretty much guaranteed their place in the semi-finals of the World T20. This was confirmed when Australia thrashed the West Indies in the match that immediately followed.

When you factor in that the semi-final will be played in spin-friendly St Lucia, then Paul Collingwood and Andy Flower should be concerned. Moreover, Sri Lanka have a habit of doing well in ICC limited overs tournaments as evidenced by their reaching the final of the World Cup here in the Caribbean in 2007 and the World T20 in England last year.

That experience and the new ebullience gained from finishing second in the group makes Sri Lanka a dangerous proposition for England. Tillakaratne Dilshan had been in such poor form that we wondered whether he had been replaced by an impostor who didn't know one of the bat from the other. But there were signs in his innings against the Indians that the ball is finding the middle of the bat again. Captain Kumar Sangakkara too is starting to look as eloquent with the bat as he is with his words. And when you add in the all-round skills of Angelo Mathews, the big hitting ability of Chamara Kapugedera and the yorkers of Lasith Malinga, then England will face a tough test in their quest to reach their first ICC final since 2004 (the Champions Trophy at home where they were beaten by West Indies).

Furthermore, and as touched on earlier, the slowness of the pitch in St Lucia will assist Sri Lanka's battery of spinners. If Steve Smith can bamboozle batsmen as he did to the West Indians yesterday, what will Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Murali (if fit) do to England's traditionally spin-shy batting line-up?

St Lucia is a paradise for tourists. All England fans will be praying that it is for their team too tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Just five days after the end of the IPL season, international cricket resumes with the World T20 in the Caribbean. Although, it will be a less frenzied affair with no DLF maximums, no timeouts and praise be to God, no Danny Morrison, it is not exactly an example of good scheduling by the ICC. And coming under a year after the last World T20 in England, no-one could argue that cricket in general is adopting a less is more approach to the youngest form of the game.

The competition itself is structured in the same way as a year ago with four initial groups of three being whittled down to two groups of four in the Super Eight stage, before the semi-finals and final. Group A sees holders Pakistan up against Bangladesh and Australia, and with Shahid Afridi captaining pretty much anything could happen. Shorn of Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan through the mismanagement of Ijaz Butt and one of the best T20 bowlers in the world in Umar Gul through injury, Pakistan may even struggle to get past unpredictable Bangladesh.

Despite losing a warm-up match to Zimbabwe and Brett Lee to injury, Australia has to rank amongst the favourites for the trophy; though the decision to leave Doug Bollinger at home could come back to haunt them. We'll take the Aussies to top the group and Bangladesh to get past Pakistan and cause more match-fixing allegations from their oh so wonderful politicians.

Group B sees last year's runners up Sri Lanka take on New Zealand and Zimbabwe. King Kumar's boys should do well on the expected slow pitches of the Caribbean and New Zealand don't generally get beaten by the minnows, so despite the boon of beating Australia, the ever-improving Zimbabwe are likely to miss out here.

The wonderful story that is Afghanistan qualifying for the competition is likely to end abruptly with India and South Africa the opposition in Group C, and the hosts West Indies and England will have too much firepower for Ireland in Group D.

Then the real business will start with the Super Eight stage although the bizarre way in which those groups will be constituted is confusing to say the least. By our reckoning, assuming Australia, Sri Lanka, India and England win the preliminary groups, the two Super Eight groups will be Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and England in Group E, and Australia, Sri Lanka, India and West Indies in a much tougher looking Group F. But we could be wrong and we're already on the phone to Professor Stephen Hawking in order to get a better understanding of how this works.

If Group F looked like this then it would rightly be called the group of death. All four teams look strong with India led by the excellent MS Dhoni and Australia the two favourites for the competition. But don't rule out the hosts who will be looking to make up for their disappointing performance when hosting the World Cup in 2007. With Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, West Indies have the impact players that win a T20 match in a five over spell. And with T20 having that element of unpredictability we go for the hosts to join India in the last four.

With South Africa likely to choke in the semi-final and the West Indies probably running out of steam, we at the Reverse Sweep are predicting an India-England final with the absence of Sachin Tendulkar meaning that England will finally break its duck of having never won a limited overs ICC world trophy. But we won't be massively surprised if we get it wrong.

Monday, March 15, 2010

The first time I saw Angelo Mathews I was surprised that someone with a name that wouldn’t sound out of place in an Australian soap opera was playing for Sri Lanka.

My next thought was that he was not quite good enough with either bat or ball to justify his all-rounder tag, but I could see that he was a wholehearted trier. I couldn’t help think that when Mathews was run out for 99 against India in the 3rd test before Christmas (see picture) that he had possibly missed his best and only opportunity of a test ton.

But it seems that when it comes to T20 cricket he is a world beater; well certainly on the evidence of the last few days anyway.

First, he hit an unbeaten 65 off 46 balls for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match against the reigning champions Deccan Chargers. Given that Kolkata were 31/4 when he came to the crease, his partnership with Owais Shah was a matchwinning one. He also took 1/27 with his medium pace, which helped reign back Deccan’s reply after the flying start provided by Adam Gilchrist and VVS Laxman.

Then yesterday his 4/19 destroyed the innings of the Bangalore Royal Challengers to set up a second victory for his side.

Average test and one day all-rounder, but a world beating T20 player. Maybe there is hope for Luke Wright and Tim Bresnan yet.

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